Product Details

• Actors: Anna Caterina Antonacci, Barbara Frittoli, Ambrogio Maestri, Juan Diego Florez, Roberto Frontali
• Format: Classical, Color, Dolby, DTS Surround Sound, DVD, Widescreen, NTSC
• Language: English
• Region: Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only. Read more about DVD formats.)
  
• Aspect Ratio: 1.77:1
• Number of discs: 1
• Rated: NR (Not Rated)
• Studio: Euroarts
• DVD Release Date: November 18, 2003
• Run Time: 118 minutes
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• ASIN: B0000TWMPC
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #38,869 in Movies & TV (See Top 100 in Movies & TV)

Editorial Reviews

The present recording was made at a performance in Busseto, Verdi's birthplace, in the Emilia Romagna region. There, in 2001, a whole series of events marked the 100th anniversary of the composer's death. The small, 328-seat Teatro Verdi, built in Verdi's lifetime, provided the ensemble of La Scala, Milan, under its principal conductor Riccardo Muti, with a particularly captivating backdrop, and the mainly young singers -- including 31-year-old shooting star Ambrogio Maestri in the title role, exciting young tenor Juan Diego Flórez as Fenton and internationally acclaimed Barbara Frittoli as Alice -- gave superb performances. The special appeal of this production lies, however, not only in the excellent quality of the music; there is also the fact that the scenery and costumes were recreated from a historical performance of 1913. Back then, Arturo Toscanini had performed the work in the same location to mark Verdi's 100th birthday. The orchestra at that performance was similarly reduced in forces, which means that this performance follows an altogether highly regarded tradition. What is more, this "chamber opera" version complies with the composer's wish for the work to be staged in Sant'Agata (just a few miles from Busseto), and the intimacy of the theatre in Busseto certainly does correspond to the personal character of the work. The lively and witty direction of the young Italian Ruggero Cappuccio combines the historical backdrop with the vitality of modern direction.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A superb performance, January 7, 2004

By 

Jorge Fernandez Baca (Lima, Peru) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Verdi - Falstaff / Muti, Maestri, Frittoli, Florez, Frontali, Antonacci, Busseto Teatro Verdi (DVD)

You will hardly find a Falstaff like this once again in your life. There is not a flaw in this DVD: the singers, the orchestra, the direction, the sound, la mise en scêne, they are all simply extraordinary. The most enjoyable surprise is Ambrosio Maestri, who performs the best Falstaff I have ever seen in my life. I used to think Bryn Terfel was the best singer in the world for this role, but it sufficed one minute listening to Maestri's voice to change my mind immediately. The warmth of his voice and the quality of his acting make him a perfect Sir John. Roberto Frontali and Barbara Fritolli as Mr and Mrs Ford are also wonderful. Juan Diego Flores (the great Peruvian tenor) and Inva Mula are splendid as Fenton and Nanetta. The rest of the cast are also brilliant, and Riccardo Mutti's conduction is exceptional. Finally, I want to mention that this DVD was so hard to find that the only way to get it was through the Amazon's British store

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A perfect performance of a perfect opera!, January 13, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: Verdi - Falstaff / Muti, Maestri, Frittoli, Florez, Frontali, Antonacci, Busseto Teatro Verdi (DVD)

This was just a fabulous production overall! Every singer was charming and perfectly suited to their parts. Juan Diego Florez had to sing full tilt a few times just to be heard, but he was still more charming in this than anything else I have ever seen him in. Maestri was wonderful as Falstaff. Truly wonderful. Barbara Frittoli, once again, proves herself to be the most formidable operatic talent alive. She is just a superb actress and a superb singer. The entire production was solid and VERY enjoyable. This is worth the money!! Buy it, you won't regret it.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Could it be better?, June 21, 2005

By 

C. Harbison (Montague, MA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Verdi - Falstaff / Muti, Maestri, Frittoli, Florez, Frontali, Antonacci, Busseto Teatro Verdi (DVD)

The only qualification that I could imagine someone making about this miraculous performance is that it takes place in a very small theater on a very small stage. But the singers are all fantastic--just to hear Florez sing Fenton's Act III aria is worth the price of admission. The women are simply delightful, Falstaff rich and characterful; only Ford is a bit mild and reserved. The sets are delicate, evocative and wonderfully old-fashioned (based on a 1913 Toscanini-conducted performance). Muti's conducting is light and effective--one needs to get adjusted to the lack of a full string section, but once that is made, everything flows beautifully. This really is a great, intimate performance and video. You feel lucky to be present in a small, cultured Italian town with the best singers and musicians imaginable.